The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 297: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

264 THE COURT OF LONDON “Yes, I recollect your saying all that,’’ observed Lord Curzon, ‘“‘and [| think I expressed my opinion that Lord Sackville’s very conspicuous attentions were not received as an insult.” ‘““Assuredly not,’ responded Editha, still maintaining a tone and look of listless indifference, although in reality she began to be piqued at the undercurrent of satire which perceptibly ran through her husband’s discourse. ‘“ Re- ceived as an insult, indeed! How could you have thought such a thing? Did Lady Prescott receive your attentions as an insult? ” ‘You asked me that question in the carriage last night,” observed Lord Curzon. ‘And you told me,’’ said Editha, her lips now curling with a perceptible sneer, “ there was not the slightest resemblance between the two cases.”’ ‘““No more there is,’ ejaculated the earl, beginning to get excited. ‘‘ Lady Prescott is a widow, and may be per- mitted a certain license. She is not to be expected to enact the prude — ”’ ‘“At all events, your lordship seems to expect that she should not,’ interrupted Editha. ‘‘ But it is ridiculous to suppose that you, on the one hand, and in the presence of your wife, may lavish your most tender assiduities — indeed, I may say amorous and truly significant attentions — upon a very beautiful widow, while I, on the other hand, am to be called to an account for merely accepting the most ordinary courtesies.” ‘“ But you said all that in the chaise last night,” cried the earl. ‘To be sure I did. But are we not recapitulating that very interesting and edifying discourse? ”’ said Editha. ‘But why recapitulate it?’’ demanded the earl, impa- tiently. ‘““ Most assuredly it was not I who commenced it,”’ ejacu- lated the countess, her cheeks flushing and her whole manner denoting a rising pettishness. ‘‘ Let me tell you once for all, that I only behaved with common courtesy and polite- ness toward Lord Sackville. I gave him no encouragement. whatsoever; I defy a single soul seated around that table, from the prince down to — ”’ ‘“‘ The prince indeed! ”’ exclaimed Curzon, with an ironical Gomicbooks (E (0)